The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
